Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
High school diploma or equivalent
None
Long-term on-the-job training
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
Discover metro markets where compensation, hiring demand, and long-term momentum align.
Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Telecommunications line installers and repairers work in a technical, hands-on role focused on keeping communication systems functioning. With national employment of 100,000 workers and 9,000 annual openings, this occupation offers ongoing entry and replacement opportunities despite a projected employment decline of -3.1%. Typical entry into the field is accessible with a high school diploma or equivalent, which can appeal to those who prefer to start earning without extensive formal education. The role draws on a mix of physical strength and stamina, mechanical aptitude, fine motor abilities, and strong problem-solving skills. Because the work can involve direct interaction with customers and coworkers, interpersonal skills and customer service are also important, along with being detail oriented and adaptable. National median pay of $70,500 reflects the blend of physical and technical demands. For those considering related paths, similar occupations include security and fire alarm systems installers, emergency medical technicians, ambulance drivers and attendants, parking enforcement workers, and recreational vehicle service technicians.
Telecommunications line installers and repairers earn a national median annual salary of $70,500, indicating solid earning potential for a role that typically requires only a high school diploma or equivalent. Pay can vary significantly by location. Among the top states by opportunity score, Massachusetts, New York, and California stand out with median salaries above $97,000, reaching $103,410 in Massachusetts and $100,960 in New York. By contrast, Colorado’s median salary is $66,020 and Washington’s is $76,070. At the metro level, salaries can be even higher: San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA has a median of $107,310, while New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ offers $102,550 and San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA pays $103,500. These figures highlight that choosing certain states or metro areas can significantly increase potential earnings for experienced workers in this occupation.
Telecommunications line installers and repairers currently account for national employment of 100,000 workers. The occupation is projected to see an employment change of -3.1%, indicating an overall decline over the projection period. Even with this negative growth rate, the occupation is expected to have 9,000 annual openings. These openings can come from workers changing occupations, leaving the labor force, or other types of turnover, which helps sustain opportunities for new entrants and career changers. The -3.1% projected growth rate appears consistently across the top states and metro areas listed, suggesting a similar directional trend in those regions. For individuals considering this field, the combination of existing employment, ongoing annual openings, and a clearly defined skill profile can support planning, even though the long-term outlook points to a modest contraction in total positions rather than expansion.
Location choices can have a major impact on both opportunity and pay for telecommunications line installers and repairers. Among states with the highest CareerGPS opportunity scores, California, Massachusetts, and New York show both high median salaries and notable employment levels. California offers a median salary of $97,980 with 8,810 employed, while New York’s median is $100,960 with 8,530 employed. Massachusetts combines a smaller workforce of 2,230 with the highest listed state median pay of $103,410. Colorado and Washington present more moderate salaries of $66,020 and $76,070, respectively, with smaller employment bases. At the metro level, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA and New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ stand out, each with opportunity scores above 77 and median salaries above $102,000. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA and Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH also offer six-figure median pay. These differences show that targeting specific metros and states can significantly shape both compensation and job concentration.
Telecommunications line installers and repairers typically enter the field with a high school diploma or equivalent, making it accessible to those who want to move into a technical career without a lengthy academic path. While additional training or experience may be valuable, the formal education barrier is relatively low compared with many technical occupations. Success in this role depends heavily on a defined set of skills. Physical strength and stamina and fine motor skills support the hands-on and sometimes physically demanding nature of the work. Mechanical aptitude and problem solving and decision making are central to installing, maintaining, or troubleshooting systems. Being detail oriented and having strong critical and analytical thinking skills help ensure accuracy and reliability. Customer service and interpersonal skills are important for interacting with clients and team members, while adaptability and creativity and innovation support working in changing conditions and addressing new challenges on the job.
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